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Manneken Pis to pass milk on Saturday

In addition Belgium’s most famous statuette will pass milk instead of his usual water.

The initiative comes from Vets without Borders who hope it will help to generate interest in Africa. Milk is an important source of food and income, but because of the difficult circumstances milk production remains too low.

Healthy milk plays an important role in combating hunger and poverty in Africa. Over a billion people in developing countries are reliant on cattle for food and income. By supporting dairy farming and herdsmen living conditions can be greatly improved. In order to get this message across Manneken Pis will pass milk instead of water and be dressed in the clothes of an African herdsman next Saturday.

Milk production in Sub Saharan Africa remains below par and does not readily reach consumers. A Belgian cow easily produces 30 litres of milk. Its African counterpart struggles to come up with 3 litres. In the dry season milk production is often limited to 1 litre because of the shortage of water, feed and animal health provisions in rural areas.

Vets without Borders say that by improving feed and animal health cows can produce up to three times more milk.

Saturday will not be the first time that Manneken Pis adopts an unusual outfit. The wee lad has a collection of no fewer than 700 costumes.


[Flandersnews.be / Expatica]